The Midnight Guardian of the Serene Seas

An AV-8B Harrier jet sits on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, somewhere on the South China Sea on January 26th 2015. Waiting, and ready.

The flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, it's is on a deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit to promote peace and freedom of the seas by providing security and stability in the 7th Fleet area of operations. It sure looks rock-solid from here. [3rd Class Robin W. Peak/U.S. Navy]